MLB HOT STOVE ‘25-‘26

[Jay Bee]

Twins' entire payroll is about the same as what other teams play one great player on their team.

[WhiteTrash]

Twins' entire payroll is about the same as what other teams play one great player on their team.

Look how that strategy worked for the White Sox. 

[tower912]

Yup.  Been there.  Minor league payroll plus Cabrera.  And residual payments to Prince Fielder.

[Pakuni]

Look how that strategy worked for the White Sox. 

I know you loving hating on the Sox, and it's plenty justified, but things are looking up. 19-win improvement last year with a team starting five rookie or second-year position players by season's end. Two potential 30+ homer bats from the left side this year. A top 10 farm system even after graduating four top 100 prospects last year. And in five months they'll be adding the highest-rated draft prospect since at least Adley Rutschman, if not beyond.
Enjoy some positive momentum.

[GB Warrior]

I know you loving hating on the Sox, and it's plenty justified, but things are looking up. 19-win improvement last year with a team starting five rookie or second-year position players by season's end. Two potential 30+ homer bats from the left side this year. A top 10 farm system even after graduating four top 100 prospects last year. And in five months they'll be adding the highest-rated draft prospect since at least Adley Rutschman, if not beyond.
Enjoy some positive momentum.

Did you say Enjoy?!? For a non contender?!?

[18thandWells]

Did you say Enjoy?!? For a non contender?!?

Just out of curiosity... compared to every other season of Marquette basketball in your lifetime, how enjoyable would you rank this 2025-2026?

[tower912]

I enjoy them all.   And, across all sports, I enjoy watching young teams grow and develop.   

[18thandWells]

I enjoy them all.   And, across all sports, I enjoy watching young teams grow and develop.   

Which Marquette season has been less enjoyable? Just curious.

[tower912]

I try to enjoy them all.

[18thandWells]

I try to enjoy them all.

And that effort makes it impossible to rank seasons? Maybe we should fall back on something quantitative. Wins/losses and sh!t like that.

[tower912]

Wins and losses matter.   I have always enjoyed the wins far more than I mourned the losses.  Having coached 39 different youth teams, I still have the mindset of what can be learned, what can be built on, from a loss.

[wadesworld]

And that effort makes it impossible to rank seasons? Maybe we should fall back on something quantitative. Wins/losses and sh!t like that.

Who cares if this is the LEAST enjoyable?  I'm still enjoying seeing guys like Nigel James, Royce Parham, and Adrien Stevens figure it out on the fly.  If you don't enjoy it, why waste your time on it?

[18thandWells]

Who cares if this is the LEAST enjoyable? 

The White Sox have their new slogan.

[Pakuni]

And that effort makes it impossible to rank seasons? Maybe we should fall back on something quantitative. Wins/losses and sh!t like that.

Honestly not sure if you're being intentionally obtuse to troll at this point.

[18thandWells]

Honestly not sure if you're being intentionally obtuse to troll at this point.

The argument, "watching any baseball is better than no baseball," can kinda be assumed when posting in the MLB thread, no?

[tower912]

I had forgotten that was your thing.  Never mind.

[BM1090]

Just out of curiosity... compared to every other season of Marquette basketball in your lifetime, how enjoyable would you rank this 2025-2026?

I wasn't enjoying it at all until the last month or so, but I'll admit I've found a lot of enjoyment and hope in the improved play and the young guys developing. I'm definitely enjoying this season more than every Wojo year outside of 2018-19.

Least enjoyable of the Shaka years by far though.

[tower912]

On multiple occasions this winter I have gone out at night to look at light show art installations.  Bundle up and appreciate the metaphor of finding light and beauty in the dark and cold.  And recognizing that sometimes a snowstorm actually enhances the beauty of the light show. 
  Same thing with the aurora borealis.  Much beauty to be found on the coldest, clearest nights.

Yes, I think like this, yes I watch sports like this.   Always trying to find the beauty in the competition.  The nobility in the striving.
 

[18thandWells]

On multiple occasions this winter I have gone out at night to look at light show art installations.  Bundle up and appreciate the metaphor of finding light and beauty in the dark and cold.  And recognizing that sometimes a snowstorm actually enhances the beauty of the light show. 
  Same thing with the aurora borealis.  Much beauty to be found on the coldest, clearest nights.

Yes, I think like this, yes I watch sports like this.   Always trying to find the beauty in the competition.  The nobility in the striving.
 

I forgot that was your thing. Never mind.

[tower912]

We should all be striving to be better.

[tower912]

Verlander returning for one last ride.  To me, this is a signal that Olson is not going to be ready any time soon.  5th starter, big brother/mentor.

[18thandWells]

Verlander returning for one last ride.  To me, this is a signal that Olson is not going to be ready any time soon.  5th starter, big brother/mentor.

I thought I had read Melton was being considered for a starter, and Jobe should also be back after the All-Star Break. I suppose there is no such thing as too much pitching depth.

[tower912]

Melton was being considered, Jobe is coming off elbow surgery, and Olson still hasn't stretched out his shoulder after being shut down last August.

Verlander signed a one year deal.  IMO, the 3 named above will probably start in 27.

Update!  It was announced today that Olson underwent shoulder surgery last week.

Aha!

[Pakuni]

Verlander returning for one last ride.  To me, this is a signal that Olson is not going to be ready any time soon.  5th starter, big brother/mentor.

Olson is out for the year.

[tower912]

Yep.  Updated my post after checking the latest Tiger news.  Or, Tiger Beat for you oldsters who remember the 70's teen fan magazine.


Causality is pretty straightforward.